We awakened at the break of dawn to the loud intense wake-up call involving panicked, screaming Vietnam Red and Vietnamese radio pumping at the loudest possible volume, to wake up all of the train at 4:00am. Although it was a rough, tiring start, we were eager to arrive in the capital city, Hanoi. Juxtaposing Hue’s laidback culture from Hanoi’s bustling streets was an interesting contrast.
After a much needed big breakfast, we set off venturing the Old Quarter of the city and exploring its historic aspects. A peaceful, mindful reflection was done with the view of the city’s beautiful lake., sequentially followed by a spectacular lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant that we discovered that Obama has once eaten at.
We then travelled to the first university in Vietnam which looked very similar to a temple. This sacred place is home to 82 ceramic turtles which legend has it contained good luck in them. People who graduate and are about to go into exams go to these turtles and pray to them for good luck.
We then had a well-deserved sleep to rest from our sleep provided by the bumpy train ride this morning. After being abruptly awoken again for the second time today, we experienced the shopping culture in Hanoi. There are 36 streets, each street focusing on a certain item rather then it being dispersed throughout the city. Our group then all ate at a hip looking restaurant and it was delicious, northern Vietnamese food. Still trying to stay awake, we were woken up by watching an interesting, and culturally significant water puppet show which was quite enjoyable although we rushed back to the hotel to get a good night’s sleep.
Emily B, Saxon B
